Q: Do you have any in-person appointments?

We are currently only meeting for sessions through telehealth for clients based in New York and Florida.

 

Q: What kind of art materials are required?

Making art is not a requirement in our sessions. Art can be a part of the process only if the client would like. Clients will be required to provide their own art materials, because of this factor, art therapy directives will be flexible and creative based on what the client has available. A good place to start can be a sketchbook, drawing materials, coloring materials (colored pencils, markers, pastels) and paints. You can also save up materials from your household that may be useful in transforming (paper tubes, boxes, dried flowers, shells, leaves, stones, vases, and collage materials from newspapers, flyers, and magazines).

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Q. What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is an expressive and psychodynamic form of therapy that incorporates various visual art modalities. Art therapy sessions focus on helping individuals access and process through their feelings in relation to emotional, mental, and sometimes physical challenges such as mental illness, general stress, chronic pain, physical illness, interpersonal conflict, behavior, self-esteem, and more. During sessions, one can expect the flexibility of talk therapy and art-making in a therapeutic, supportive, empathetic, and judgment-free zone. It is important to note that previous experience in visual arts or artistic talent is not needed. As opposed to a structured art class, the artwork made in session is never graded or viewed from the perspective of professional quality, but rather the lens of self-reflection, growth, change, discovery, and healing. One can also expect to be using various art materials and engaging in projects such as painting, drawing, clay, collage, yarn work, 3-D, digital, photography, beading, charcoal, stamping, pastels, fabric, mosaic, writing, and much more. For more information about art therapy services, please visit the American Art Therapy Association and

New York State Education Department. 

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Q. What if I don't like art?

Good news for you, there is no expectation for clients to make artwork in sessions! Art therapists are licensed to practice both art therapy and talk-based psychotherapy as a creative arts therapist. This means that the dynamics of utilizing art-making and talk therapy can be formed around the client's comforts of treatment. I approach treatment with great flexibility as we understand that every client's therapy needs vary.

 

Q: Do you accept insurance?

Yes! Please visit our Policies page to learn more about the insurances that we accept.

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Q: What do I do if my insurance won't cover sessions?

For insurance policies that we are not currently paneled with, we are happy to provide the appropriate and needed information for clients to file a claim for out-of-network reimbursement. Please visit our Policies page to learn more about the reimbursement process and how we can help!

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Q: What is Alma?

Alma is an easy platform that takes away the complications of dealing with copayment billing papers, scheduling, mishaps that may take place, etc. There is no cost to the client for seeing me through Alma. Once a consult is complete, I will make a profile for the client and send an email through Alma which will show the necessary documents and information that must be filled out. After that, all scheduling and meeting links will be done by Alma!

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Q: Why do you have an oyster in your logo? Isn't your practice about therapy and not oysters?

How observant! You are absolutely correct, my work is not about oysters. However, it does connect to a fun story. When I was in my graduate program, one of my professors had asked our class to create a symbol of why pursuing the field of creative arts therapy means so much to us. This symbol was meant to be a consistent reminder of the passion we have for our line of work as we were nearing the end of the program, about to head into the world pursuing our career dreams!

The symbol in my logo is the symbol that I created in my program. I saw a similarity between the work that's done in therapy sessions sand the process of a mollusk making a pearl. The natural process of pearl formation is quite impressive. The mollusk is essentially responding to something unwanted in its space, like a parasite or fragment of a shell, by building layers and layers over time of what ends up being the pearl. The process takes time, energy, and patience. And after a handful of years, the mollusk has a pearl.

Here's where I see the overlap: We may all have fragments of our lives and human experiences that we would want to simply "get rid of", but we can't. So how can we cope with it?

Through therapy, we can learn to build on what we have - and with time, energy, and patience, we can transform some of those fragments into new concepts that take a different shape and carry a different meaning.

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Q: Do you offer inclusive services for diverse couples and families?

Absolutely! We are dedicated to making all couples and families feel welcome and affirmed, regardless of their backgrounds and identities. Our practice is LGBTQ+ affirming, with extensive experience working with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. We also support non-monogamous relationships and provide an unbiased and non-judgmental environment. Additionally, we prioritize cultural sensitivity and competence, striving to respect and understand the diverse cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds of our clients. Our approach is trauma-informed, recognizing the impact of past trauma on current relationships and providing a supportive environment for healing.

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Q: What types of therapy do you offer?

We offer a range of therapeutic services, including individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. Our approaches include art therapy, talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based therapy, and more. We tailor our methods to meet the unique needs of each client.

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Q: How long are the therapy sessions?

Our therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes. We also offer 90 minute sessions for families and couples.

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Q: How often should I attend therapy sessions?

The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the individual needs and goals of each client. Some clients benefit from weekly sessions, while others may prefer bi-weekly or monthly sessions. We typically work with clients by meeting weekly for the first 2 months, then we can review treatment goals and reflect on the best frequency to meet your needs. We will work with you to determine the best schedule to support your therapeutic journey.

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Q: What can I expect during my first therapy session?

During your first therapy session, we will discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, your goals, and any questions you may have. In this initial session, we will review intake paperwork that explores your overall history and important areas of your life that help to paint the picture of who you are today. We understand that starting therapy means that you are taking initiative in entrusting us with exploring the path ahead which is why the first session is also an opportunity to get to know each other and establish a comfortable and trusting relationship. Lastly, we will also go over confidentiality and any necessary paperwork.

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Q: Is therapy confidential?

Yes, therapy is confidential. We take your privacy very seriously and adhere to strict confidentiality and HIPAA compliant guidelines. Information shared in therapy sessions will not be disclosed without your written consent, except in cases where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, or as required by law.

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Q: How do I schedule an appointment?

You can schedule an appointment by contacting us via phone (917-818-2466) or email (team@amigoarttherapy.com), or by filling out the form on our website. While we cannot guarantee specific availabilities, we will work with you to find a convenient time for your sessions.

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